Publish date: 2 February 2023
Helen Robertshaw, Facilities Management Assistant, couldn’t be more pleased with her role in the Patient Possessions department at Ashworth Hospital. She loves the job, works with a great team, and is supported in fulfilling her duties as a reservist in the armed forces by the Trust, and the Regional Employer Engagement Director (Merseyside and Isle of Man) for Cadets/Reservists.
Reservists are expected to undergo training each year. Helen was able to do so in Croatia last year, thanks to the support of her manager, John Thompson, and her ten days paid leave (pro-rata for part time) in each annual leave year, for reserves or cadet forces. (See Special Leave policy, section 5.5)
Helen said: “I worked in retail previously and had to use half of my annual leave to keep my training up to date and maintain my skills and abilities. The fact that Mersey Care acknowledges and fully supports the role of reservists is brilliant!”
Helen’s regiment was given the opportunity to invite employers to observe them training so John accompanied her for part of the trip. John said: “Helen is a valued member of the team and I’m glad we can support her with her duties outside of the Trust”.
Lance Corporal, Helen Robertshaw and colleagues in the UK pre-deployment training for Croatia
For further information about Mersey Care’s commitment to our armed forces community, visit YourSpace.